The Snowiest Region In Minnesota Is Perfect For A Magical Winter Getaway
By Trent Jonas|Published November 28, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Winter in the Land of 10,000 Lakes often brings quite a bit of snow, and we hearty denizens of the North do our best to enjoy it. While places in southern and central can receive 60 to 80 inches of snow annually, this is nothing compared to 100-plus inches that the Arrowhead region along Lake Superior (from Duluth north and and eastward) can get – which makes this snowiest region in Minnesota the perfect spot to get out and make the most of winter.
The snowiest area in Minnesota tends to be in the Lake Superior highlands of Lake County.
This makes Finland an ideal basecamp for enjoying snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking at nearby Tettegouche State Park. Some intrepid folks enjoy climbing the park’s frozen falls when the weather is cold enough to freeze them solid.
Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614, USA
The adjacent Superior National and Finland State forests are laced with snowmobile trails, as well.
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The snow zone extends up to the Canadian border, down to Duluth and westward onto the Iron Range - which is why you’ll find three of the state’s best ski resorts on the Arrowhead.
Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Lutsen Mountains on the North Shore (the biggest ski resort in the Upper Midwest), and Giants Ridge, near Biwabik, all offer plenty of lift-served skiing and snowboarding for snow lovers of all abilities. You’ll also find the longest runs with the most vertical in the state at these resorts.
Fat tire enthusiasts will appreciate the lift-served winter trails at Giants Ridge, as well.
You’ll also find a ton of lodging options in this area. One of our favorites is Cascade Lodge, which sits right on the North Shore between Lutsen and Grand Marais.
Cascade Lodge Lutsen MN, 3719 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612, USA
Its proximity to both Cascade River State Park and Lake Superior, as well as ski trails that cross the property, make Cascade Lodge in Lutsen an awesome place to stay during your winter getaway.
Another option for those seeking an adventure a little farther away from the clouds is Gunflint Lodge.
Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters is located just a few miles from the end of the Gunflint Trail, across the lake from Canada. It’s an awesome spot for winter adventure, as you can enjoy cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and even ice skating all right from the lodge.
And what better way to warm up and relax after all that adventure than a Nordic-style sauna?
Of course, you don’t have to visit all of these places in a single trip. You could just hunker down in one spot to enjoy a few activities and little bit of hygge. Or you could plan several short trips throughout the winter months, which is what I, personally, prefer to do. However you choose to do your getaway to the snowiest region in Minnesota, you’re sure to find plenty of ways to enjoy yourself. Just be sure to pack all the winter essentials that you’ll need to keep yourself warm and safe.
Have you spent any time on the Arrowhead during winter? Tell us about your favorite spots and activities in the comments!
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